Seventy-three years ago on
January 26, India adopted the ideals that make it a Sovereign, Socialist,
Secular, Democratic Republic as we know it. It is the day we adopted our
Constitution, the longest written in the world. The day we celebrate as our
Republic Day.

After two pandemic marred years that has left the entire world, including India, rattled, the
celebrations this year will be largely transformed with shorter parade gap and
no foreign leader as chief guest.

In new guidelines issued by the Delhi Police on Monday, children below the age of 15 will not be allowed to attend the parade at Rajpath, while it is necessary for all adults to be fully vaccinated and follow other COVID-protocols, such as wearing masks and observing social distancing. 

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While
the Constitution of India is the biggest authority and the most significant
element of our identity, it’s highly imperative to know the history and
importance of this day.

History of Republic Day

It
takes us back to January 26, 1930, when for the first time, the then Indian
National Congress (INC) party demanded Purna
Swaraj (complete Independence) and since then this date holds great
significance in the history of our freedom movement.

However,
the impetus to come up with a well-structured constitution came
from the then Congress leader and revolutionary MN Roy, who first proposed
the formation of a constituent assembly in 1935.

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In
1940, the British accepted the proposal to constitute a panel in the August
Offer of 1940, which was followed by 1946 when the elections were held for to
elect member for the constituent assembly under the Cabinet Mission plan.

Later
on December 9, 1946, the Constituent Assembly met for the first time in New
Delhi and, a drafting committee chaired by Dr BR Ambedkar was appointed.

The Ambedkar headed body took almost three years (two years, eleven months and
seventeen days to be precise) to complete the drafting of the Constitution of
the biggest democracy of the world.

This
newly formed constitution was enacted on November 26, 1949 on and was
adopted and implemented by the Indian Constituent Assembly on January 26, 1950.
Thus, Republic day is celebrated on this day.

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Significance of January 26

The
day not only celebrates the implementation of one of the strongest
constitutions of the world but commemorates the arduous efforts and struggle of
our freedom leaders, who shed their blood and sweat to lay the foundation stone
of our democracy.

The
day symbolises India’s independence from the 200-year-long British rule in the
truest sense for this is the day the Government of India Act (1935) was
replaced by the Indian Constitution, which led to complete repeal of foreign and
anarchist era from the Indian soil.